Background
Christianity is the largest religion in the United States and has had a major influence on the development of the nation, its culture, and its values. According to a 2020 report from the Pew Research Center, Christianity is the most common religion among U.S. adults, with 71 percent identifying as Christian. This includes Protestantism, Catholicism, and Mormonism. The remaining 29 percent of adults identify with no formal religious affiliation.
Statistics
As of 2019, the United States Census Bureau estimated that the total number of Christian adherents in the United States was roughly 245 million. This estimate, however, does not provide a precise figure, as it does not account for the individual percentage of population that follows either Protestantism, Catholicism, or Mormonism, or any other sects of Christianity.
It is estimated that 51.3 percent of the U.S. population is Protestant, 24.9 percent is Catholic, and 2.1 percent is Mormon. Among Protestant denominations, the most popular are Evangelicals (25.4 percent), Mainline Protestants (14.7 percent), Black Protestants (6.8 percent), and Pentecostals (4.6 percent).
Trends
Recent research has shown that the number of Christians in the United States is declining. According to Pew, the proportion of adults who identify as “Christian” has decreased from 78.4 percent in 2007 to 71 percent in 2020. The decline has been attributed to the increasing number of people who identify as “nones” or without religious affiliation. The proportion of adults who identify with no formal religious affiliation has increased from 16.1 percent in 2007 to 29 percent in 2020.
Expert Perspectives
Experts agree that the decline of Christianity in the United States is likely to continue in the future. They attribute this to a large number of factors, such as growing religious diversity, the increasing secularization of the population, and a decline in the number of people attending religious services.
According to Dr. Melissa Brown, Professor of Sociology at Harvard University, “The decline of Christianity likely has a lot to do with the increasing religious diversity of the population. With more people coming from various religious backgrounds, there are more options for them to choose from. Additionally, people who do not feel as strongly about their faith have more opportunities to find another faith or none at all.”
Demographics
A 2019 analysis from the Pew Research Center has suggested that there are significant differences in the religious makeup of the United States population among generations. Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are less likely to identify as Christian than the older generations. Only 56 percent of Millennials identify as Christian, compared to 87 percent of Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and 90 percent of members of the Silent Generation (born between 1925 and 1945).
Impact
The decline in religious affiliation among Americans — particularly younger generations — is likely to profoundly impact the nation’s social and political landscape in the future. As more Americans move away from Christianity, there is likely to be an increase in the number of people who identify with no religious affiliation. This could lead to a shift in the nation’s values, as well as its policies.
Moral Implications
The decline of Christianity in the United States has important moral implications. As more people move away from Christian values and towards secular values, the notion of right and wrong could become more gray and less black and white. Additionally, it is possible that a decline in Christianity could lead to a decline in adherence to traditional moral codes, such as those advocated by Christianity.
Attitudes
The attitudes of Americans towards Christianity vary widely. According to a 2020 survey from the Pew Research Center, 28 percent of respondents said that they view Christianity as “very favorable.” Meanwhile, 24 percent said that they view Christianity as “not favorable.” The remaining 48 percent said that their opinion of Christianity is “not very favorable.”
Popularity
Despite its declining numbers, Christianity remains the most popular religion in the United States. This is evidenced by the large number of people who identify as Christian and attend religious services, as well as the high number of churches and other religious institutions throughout the country. Additionally, Christianity continues to wield significant influence over the country’s politics and laws.
Cultural Influence
Christianity has had an immense influence on the culture of the United States. From influencing art and music to impacting language, values, and social norms, Christianity has shaped many aspects of American culture. For example, much of the country’s literature, including the works of William Shakespeare, is imbued with Christian values. Additionally, many of the nation’s holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, are based on Christian traditions.
Conclusion
Christianity is still the most popular religion in the United States, but its numbers are declining. This has implications for the nation’s values and morality, as well as its culture and politics. While there is no clear answer to how many people in the United States practice Christianity, there is no denying that it still holds a major influence in the nation.
